World’s Largest Stamp Gallery Opens Sept. 22

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum opens its new William H. Gross Stamp Gallery to the public Sunday, Sept. 22. Named after its primary benefactor, it is the world’s largest stamp gallery and the only one to show stamps and mail in the context of American history and culture. It provides an experience available nowhere else and offers something for everyone—from casual visitors to experienced collectors.

Among the gems on display: a cover postmarked on the moon in 1971; a watch worn by a sea clerk aboard Titanic; one of two 1868 1-cent Z-grill stamps in existence (with the image of Benjamin Franklin, the nation’s first postmaster general); a letter addressed to John Hancock postmarked July 4, 1776; stamps depicting kings of Hawaii before it became a state; and the icon of the Smithsonian’s stamp collection—the Inverted Jenny—will be shown along with other stamps from America and around the world.

A wall of exterior windows overlooking Massachusetts Avenue, depicting reproductions of 54 historic U.S. stamps, provides a dramatic nighttime glow and is a preview of what is inside the museum’s 12,000 square feet of new exhibit space.

Special family activities, tours and programs will be offered throughout the day; from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.:

Make Your Own Stamp Collection—Visitors can select six free stamps from the museum’s bins of stamps from around the world to make their own stamp collection. The collections can be personalized and feature favorite topics like sports, animals, art or just about anything else.

Stamp Design Contest—Every museum visitor can be a stamp designer. Family members can show off their artistic talents by designing their dream stamp and enter a chance to win the design-of-the-day contest. The first-place winner will receive a sheet of their stamps produced as real U.S. postage stamps.

Special Meet-and-Greet with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweety—Kids will join Bugs, Daffy and Tweety in celebrating the grand opening of the new gallery. Previously featured on U.S. postage stamps, these three Warner Bros. icons will be available to pose for pictures.

U.S. Postal Service First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony—Nearly a century after it was first issued, America’s most famous stamp—the misprinted 24-cent Inverted Jenny—will be reprinted as a $2 stamp as part of the Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny souvenir stamp sheet being issued by the U.S. Postal Service at a 1 p.m. ceremony. The souvenir sheet features a new version of the most famous error in the history of U.S. stamps: a 1918 stamp that mistakenly showed a biplane flying upside down. Reprinted with a $2 denomination to make them easily distinguishable from the 24-cent originals, the Inverted Jennys on this sheet commemorate the many ways a single stamp can turn a moment in history upside down. Special first-day-of-issue cachets and special cancellations will be available at the event.

Medal of Honor Enshrinement—The National Postal Museum will be accepting and enshrining a Medal of Honor into its collection as part of the grand-opening ceremony of the new gallery. The medal will be installed in the museum’s new National Stamp Salon exhibit.
First Sgt. David McNerney (June 2, 1931–Oct. 10, 2010), an avid stamp collector, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of bravery and valor during the Vietnam War by President Lyndon B. Johnson Sept. 19, 1968. At 11 a.m., Gen. Ray Odierno, the 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, will present the Medal of Honor to Allen Kane, director of the National Postal Museum, on behalf of all who have served. Odierno and other dignitaries who knew of McNerney’s contributions will make remarks at this historic occasion. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as “The Old Guard”—the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving the nation since 1784—will present the National Colors and the Medal of Honor flag for the ceremony.

Correspondence Salon for Families—Send a special handmade card from the grand opening of the world’s largest stamp gallery. Pretty paper and whimsical ink stamps will be available for everyone to decorate their cards and envelopes before they are mailed off to friends and loved ones. A stamp store, located within the museum, is making available a variety of stamps and a special William H. Gross Stamp Gallery postmark. Free postcards will also be available to visitors.

Correspondence Salon for Ladies and Gentlemen—Visitors will be inspired at a series of 45-minute freestyle workshops offered throughout the day. The museum will provide materials, including vintage postage for the creation of artistic mail and envelopes certain to entertain, enchant and enlighten all who create or receive the exquisite creations. Visitors’ classic correspondence kits will include an array of envelopes, thick cards and other epistolary accessories. Each guest will also receive an assortment of stamps on one of many interesting topics.

Meet Ben Franklin—Benjamin Franklin, the first postmaster general, would not miss the opening of the new gallery. He will be at the museum talking about his favorite objects on display. Visitors can pose in a photo with Ben and learn about his role in the history of the post.

Scavenger Hunt—Visitors may take the scavenger hunt sheet to explore the museum and claim their prize after visiting all the stops indicated on the sheet and completing the tasks.

As visitors move through six thematic areas, stunning displays and interactive moments reveal the amazing stories that unfold from the museum’s unparalleled collection. Distributed throughout the thematic areas are hundreds of pullout frames containing more than 20,000 objects, providing ample opportunities to view noteworthy stamps that have never been on public display.

The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., in the Old City Post Office Building across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the museum’s Web site at postalmuseum.si.edu.